NTT creates a drone that triggers and catches lightning – then keeps flying
Japanese tech giant NTT has made headlines with a groundbreaking development: a drone that can trigger lightning, withstand being struck by it, and keep soaring through the skies. Their innovation aims to protect critical infrastructure from natural lightning strikes.
Key Points
- NTT’s drone purportedly created the world’s first drone-triggered lightning during tests in early 2025.
- The drone is equipped with a protective cage and a conductive wire that triggers lightning strikes.
- Despite being struck by lightning, the drone was designed to survive due to its lightning protection cage.
- NTT proposes the use of these drones over lightning rods for enhanced protection of infrastructure.
- They envision a future where fleets of these drones could mitigate the yearly costs of lightning damage, estimated at approximately ¥200 billion in Japan alone.
Why should I read this?
If you’ve ever wondered how technology can tackle natural phenomena, this article is a must-read. NTT’s innovative approach to harnessing lightning is not just a quirky tech story; it represents a potential game-changer in protecting urban infrastructure from devastating lightning strikes. With this development, we could be looking at a new era in storm management and disaster prevention.